Flying on a Snowmobile in Dawson Creek

We try to spend as much time outside as we can in the winter and since we get so much sunshine here in the Peace River Country, the cold doesn't seem to bother us.

Our friends invited us to go snowmobiling with them. I hadn't been on a snowmobile since I was in elementary school. The machines certainly have changed since then.

We met up at the entrance to the Bear Mountain Wind Park and spent the whole day exploring back trails.

I couldn't believe how fast we went. It was very exciting! There are a lot of places to ride around here. In addition to the oil and gas pipelines and back trails, the ditches along the highway are really wide in a lot of areas and you can go for miles and miles with ease. You have to have your own machines because there is not a business that rents them.

We weren't the only ones on the ridge that day, we heard and saw several other groups of people.

Our friend packed some kindling and small firewood along and we stopped along a trail that had a panoramic view of the valley to the east of Dawson Creek, built a small fire and roasted hot dogs. Thermos' of hot coffee and chocolate made the day perfect.

We had one problem right near the end when we crossed a field and were met by a farmer who was out plowing snow on his tractor.

We stopped and he told us that being on the fields was not allowed unless we asked permission and then it depended on the crop. Apparently it packs the snow down and can damage the crops. He said our two little trails wouldn't do much damage, but groups roaring around on a field can really affect it.

If you are visiting our area with your snowmobiles, make sure you have permission to be on private property.

Flying on a Snowmobile in Dawson Creek

Hungry Little Fox

Winter has finally come to the Peace River Area, and with it cold temperatures and the beginning of snow.

I was walking by my living room window the other day, and saw a movement out of the corner of my eye.

My dogs were sleeping on their beds in the house so wondering what the movement was; I looked closer and saw a red fox eating kibble out of our dog food bowl. He/She was right up on the deck.

By the time I got my camera, she must have sensed that she was being watched, because she left the deck and moved farther out to the yard.

I am wondering if this is the same fox that lives in the old abandoned farmstead down the road. People know to watch out for her although as the saying about 'smart as a fox' goes, she seems pretty good at looking after herself.

One of the best things about this part of the country is the closeness to wildlife. All you have to do is drive around; you are bound to see a wild animal doing what wild animals do.

Hungry Little Fox

Up the Alaska Highway: Pink Mountain, Mile 143

We set out from Dawson Creek, Mile O of the Alaska Highway while it was still dark, with a full tank of gas and fresh coffees.

About an hour and a half up the highway, just as the sun was rising, we found out how Pink Mountain got its name. Fire weed grows everywhere up the mountain and in the ditches. We must have hit peak season because along with the pink flowers, there were butterflies everywhere. Sadly, many butterflies got caught in the grill of our vehicle.

The air was fresh and clean and the views were awesome. We stopped at an interesting place called Sasquatch Crossing Lodge to fill up our coffee and ask about the butterflies. We were told that these are yearly phenomena and are Arctic Yellowtail Swallow butterflies.

We didn't see any Sasquatches though, maybe next time.

Up the Alaska Highway: Pink Mountain, Mile 143